Rotary engine.



No. 831,754. PATENTED SEPT. 25, 1906.

' F. S. SULLIVAN. ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED 0011.28. 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

No. 831,754. l PATENTND SEPT. z5, 1906 P. s. SULLIVAN. ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT.28.1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 l/E/V TUR fia/W05 5f Smal/AN nr ernten.

tra. 831,754.

Specification of Letters Eatent.

Patented sept. 25, i 906.

Application tiled October 28,1995. Serial No. 284,867.

' 1'0 all whom t may connerie:

Be it known that I, FRANC-is S. Surrrvnv.

.a citizen of the* United States, residing at tinct enters of rotation" Traverse City, in the county of 'Grtind Tra vl.

Vboiler-pressure steam and the expansion thereof, giving to my engne not only greater eiiciency, but also `a more uniform distribution of load than is possible in any other form or" rotary engine knovm to nie. This equalization ot load causes more quiet and steady action and es a consequence prolonged life of the parts.

Other features are simplicity or construction, interchangeability of ptits, reversi-A bility, lightness, end compectness, end other Jfeatures incidental Ito the construction here ineiter described. Although i have shown in the drawings valve mechanism suitable for steam control,

` l do not limit myself tothjs form of construction, es my invention can be used with other iiuids or with gas or other` internal combustion source of energy es e motive power Without departing Jfrom the principle thereof. y i

Referring to the drawings, Figure l e vertical longitudinal section ci my engine corresponding to the offset line .1 1 shotwrin Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is e plan section corresponding to line 2 2 oft-Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section corresponding to line 3 3 oi Fig. some of the parts sectional, on e line corresponding with 4 4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of e portion of the drum, showing one of the pistons within its sheath. Fig. is a sectional detail tak-en on line 6 6 oi Fig. 5.

The outside shell 10 is supported Within the tWo side plates 11 and 12 and secured thereto by bolts 13. Side plates 11 and 12 ,are each formed to-provide bearings 14 end Fig. 4 is a partial side eleve-tion, with 15 Afor thehollow sleeves or hubs 16 and 17, said sleeves being rotatably mounted on sta# tioneryslin'its 18 and 19 and are further provided with standards and 21, each of rich is foi-ined to support and hold the outer s oi shafts 1S and 19 rigidly against rotation, as nit 22. To the inner ends of shafts 1S: and 19 are secured stiff arms 23 and- 24, provided at their free ends with pivot-pins and 26. 'The inside drum is secured at 30 30 to sleeves 16 17 and as here shown is com# posed ot shell 31v and side Walls 32 33,. so

on the sleeves 16 and 17 and rotates there `With shell A31 forms a snug fit Within the centrsl section oi' outer shell 10. As it is desirable that this tit should be steam-tight, I provide spring-pressed plates 40, recessed in the walls otouter shell 10 and adapted to bear against shell 31.

Within the drum and journaled at 41 41,

5, are rotatably mounted the pistonslieaths 42 42, cach provided with lengthwise slots 43 43 for receiving the several pistons 44, 45, 46, and 47. Pistons 44 and 46 are rotatably mounted on pivot-pin 25, and'pistons 45 an 47 are similarly mounted on pivot pin 25 by means ot connecting-rods 48 48,

and all are provided along their outer edges With removable caps 49 49, yieldingly h'eld place by springs 50 50. The outer edges of these caps 49 are beveled at 51 to fit beveled recesses 52 in sheaths 42 for preventing these oeps 49 from receding with their `respective pistonsavithin sheaths 42, as illustrated Figs.` 1 and 2.

as the drum revo vas pistons 44 and46, with face 53, and likewisf` pistons 45 and 47 con--y tact with surface 54 of the shell: 10, and all are in turn withdrawn within `the drum when performing the balance of their circuits. In.v

From the for@ Going it will be noticed that thc ir parts, sweep around in cont act with sur- I 'idler 81.-A 86 is an idle sprockf t-whetl,which 4hardst-outlets.

Fig. 1 the pistons 44 and 45 are shown in ac tive and pistons 46 and 47 are shown in inactivepositions. l

The two expansion-chambers and 61 are each provided near the ir upper and lower extremities with ports 6263 and 64 65, respectively. The functions of these ports are interchangeable and arc coiitrollrdby their adjacent valvrs66, 67, 68, and 69; but as set in the drawings 62 and 64 arc admission and 63 and 65 are exhaust-ports. 70 and 71 aro steam-control valves for regulating the cutofi in charnbr rs' 60 and 61 and are automatically operated by`.canigroove 72, :mounted on fly-wheel 73, through the agi ncy of linkage 74 and cross-head- 75, in such a manner that cut-ofi" iii chamber 60 is timed to coincide with admission in chamber 61, and vice versa. `This particular timing7 of the valve i operation can of course be variedfas may .be desiredto suit the did/ring needs; but for conciseness this description adheres closely to the forni shown. in the drawings, and this particular` form is shown because it is the one deemed best.

The reversing mechanism for changing the direction of rotation is best shown iii Fig. 4 and consists of the pinions 80, rigidly mounted on the projrctingends ot' valves 66, 67, 68, and 69, cach pair being connected by an idler-gear 81, rotatably mounted on stud 82, said idler bring rigidly connected to sprocket-wheel 83.' .'On the hub of one of the idlergea'rs 81 is rigidly mounted the liandlever 84, and sprocket-chain communicates the motion of lever 84 to the opposite serves to guide chain 85 around the interi/vning parts. By iiispectingFigs. 1 and 4 it Will be seen that an u pward iiiotion of it vf. r 84 will reverse the positions of valves 66 and 69, as Well as 67 and-68.

87 87 are steam-inlets, which admit steam to steamchests 88 88, andY 89 89 are er;-

I consider it advisable to provide elastic means for maintaining a close fit betwefrn surfaces 53 and 54 and the ends of the various pistons 44 45 46 47. For this purpose i interpose a series of flat springs 90 between caps 49 and the edges oi their respective pis-` tons, such springs being stronger than the' coiled springs 50 before mentioned. (See Figs. 5 and 6.) In action these springs 9 0.) liniit the action of sprinrs SQ whentho piston is away from 'the cylinr (1r-wall and prf-vf nt the caps 49 from seating on the edge oi'the piston; but when in contact with the cylinder-wall the pressure is sufficient to ov; rcome the stiffness of springs Si() and causr` them to yield and permit closer seating of caps 4i? against the piston edge, at the saine time insuring a closer ioint with the cylinderwalls.

Referring to the drawings in general, 91 is o 5 a pulley-wheel, and it and ily-wheel 73 areA 1Keyed to their respective sleeves 16 and 17.

92 Q2 are stuingboxes ior maintaining st'caintight joints around. the spindles of valves 76 and 7i.

93 9S are cross-head guides secured to side plate 12 for receiving cross-heads 75.

94 Q4 are openings iii'shell 31 ofthe drum kfor permitting the necissary piay of the pistons. Y z i 95 Q5 are iaciiigs of steam-resisting material, such as copper, in which springs may be stt to receive and absorb the shock of stopping the caps49 when each piston is drawn inward.

96 96 are nirtal rings surrounding the ends ofthe drunito make a steani-tightjoint with th'e outrr shell. These rings may be'expansible, as is customary with packingfrings.

Minor features-as drip-cocks, packing, 85

governor, &c.-have vbeen omitted in the drawings. as such are not cssentiai to a proper understanding of my invention.

The operation of my engine is as ollowsz.

The eXl'iaust-valves are always open.' l 'Refer- 9o ring to Fig. 1, it will be noticed that piston 44 is midway in its passage through chamber 60, and piston 45 is ready for admission of steam to chamber 61; Valve 701s closed, and valve 71 is open.

sion, the direction of rotation being indicated by the arrow. Valves 70 and 71 maintain their positions for about one-fourth of a revolution and then change, causing cutwo for roo piston .45 and admission for piston' 46. "Chus boiler-pressure steam is admitted to each cliai'nber 60 and 61 twice in every'revolu tion of the drum, changing at each quarter (approximately) from one. chamber to the io 5 other, so that live steam is continually acting upon the drum upon one side or the other, and, nevertheless, eachicharge of live steam is expanded betere being exhausted. By

suitably arranging the valve mechanism the i' io each piston-biade 44 45, die., successivey H5 projects from and is withdrawn to the interior ofthe inner drinn, while rotatin7 at a high speed, nevertheless this inotion oes not resultin throwing7 either drum or pistons out of h balance, because cach pair or pistons is sup- 12oported independentiy of the drumv and rotates about its own stationary and independL ent center. It will be observed also that by reason of the arrangement of each set of piston-blades coneentrically with one portion of l g the outer shell tne adlustnient of said blades with respect thereto can be accurately ai'- ranged and when arranged will remain subr By this it will be understood 95 that piston 44 is at cutoff and 45 at admis,-

' vstantially constant with a minimum of wear.

ton-cap.

Inthese respects the invention differs from those types of engines in which a blade is forced out by a cani from a central rotating body to an outer shell surrounding it. The motion about the fixed pivot is smoother, steadier, and has less friction than motion l i controlled by a cani, and the pressure of the piston edge against the outer shell may be regulated delicately by the springs of the pis- Also the momentum ofthe blade whep 4.the blade is thrown by a cam against the outer shell is eliminated as an element in l thegwear and tear `of the engine here de-4 scribed, all such being borne independently of both outer and inner shells by the fixed i 'pivotwhich supports the pistons and around which they revolve. The pistons canbe ar ranged atany desired an le to each other. As here shown, piston 45 oes not come into action until piston Lie-has completed a considerable portion of its stroke; but, if desired,

the iston 44 might beset farther back towar piston 47.011 the circumference of the drum 31 and piston 46 set correspondingly back toward piston 45, the positions of pistons 45,A and 47 remaining unchanged, with the result that steam would be then admitted to piston 45 almost as soon as to piston 44, and the two would then be receiving live-steam pressure at'the same time on opposite sides of the Ydrum -thus rivinu Urenter balance to the ro. i 5 z: :n

tary force.

Other angular arrangement of the pistons 'may be made or other variations of details Without departing from the princij ple 'of the invention.

.1l A` rotary engine, comprising a rot-ary In; a stationary outer shell having cylindrical walls intersecting the drum and' fornivingtherewith expansion -cliambers on opposite sides thereo a set of piston-blades for .each said chamber pivoted within the drum at the yaxis of the outer cylindrical wall of such chamber andA arranged to project throu'h the. drum and sweep the said wall, there lbeing admission and exhaust ports for each chamber.

2. A rotary engine, comprising a rotary drum; a stationary outer shell having cylindrieal walls intersecting the drum and forming therewith ex mision-chambers on opposite sides tlicrec a set of piston-blades' for each said chamber pivoted within the drum at the axis of the outer cylindrical wall of` such chamber and arranged to project through the drum and sweep the said wall, there being admission and exhaust ports for each chamber, arranged at converse. ends near the intersection of said walls with the drum, and a packing set in the outer shell lhiiring againstthe drum between the adj acent valves of opposite chambers.

A rotary engine, comprising a rotary drical wallsl intersecting the drum and drum, a stationary outer shell having lcylindrical walls intersectingthe drum and forming therewith ex. ansion-chambers on oppo-f `site sides thereo a set of piston-blades for` each said chamber pivotcd within the drum at the axis of the outer cylindrical Wall of.

such chamber and arranged ltoy roject through the drum and sweep said wal there being admission 'and exhaust ports for each chamber and sheaths for the pistons proj ectving-within the drum. Y

,4. A rotary engine, comprising a rotary drum, a stationary outer shell having cylindrical walls intersecting the drum and forming therewith expansion-chambers on opposite sides thereof; alset of piston-blades for each said chamber pivoted within the drum 'at the axis of the outer cylindrical wall of each said chamber pivoted Within the drum at the 'axis of the outer cylindricall wall of such chamber and arranged to project through the drum and sweep saidA wall there ort's for each' chamber; and caps carried by t e pistons and' being admission and exhaust arranged to close the openings lelt when the pistons are drawn within the drum.

6. A. rotary engine, comprising a rotary drum, a stationary outer shell having cylindrical walls intersecting the drum and forniing therewith expansion-chambers on oppoeach said chamber pivotedwithin the drum at the axis of the outer cylindrical wall of such chamber and arranged to project through -the drum and sweep the said wa l; there being admission and' exhaust port-s for each chamber, said pistons having separable outer portions elastically connected to the pistonshank and adapted to remain at the drumsurface when the shank is drawn inward.

7. 'A rotary engine, comprising a rotary drum, a stationary outer shell having cylindrical walls intersecting the drum and forming therewith expansion-chambers 'on opposite sidesthereof; a set of piston-blades for IOO 'site sides thereof; a set 'of piston-blades for each said chamber pivcted within the'druml at the axis of -the 'outer cylindrical wall of such chamber and arranged to proj ect through the drum and sweep said wal1there being admission and exhaust ports for each chamber valve mechanism and means to operatn the valve mechanism by rotation of the drum. 8. A rotary engine, comprising a rotary drum, s stationery outer sheli i Wing cylindrieel welis intersecting the drum forining therewith expansion-chambers on opposite sides thereof; a set of piston-blades ier each said chamber pivoted Within the o'ruin at the axis of the outer cylindrica Weli ol' such chamber and arranged to project through the drum and sweep said Wali, there being admission end exhaust ports for each charnro her, there being a port et. each enti or each chamber, end s'three-fvvsy Valve therein; e passage freni eachport-veive to the exhaust;

an admission-valve to controi the iuid-sup-V Ply;- nd gearing joiningI said` port-'mires thereby to adjust the Ve ves for rotation oi' the engine in opposite directions.

. 9, A rotary engine, comprisinge rotary drum, s stationery outer sheli having cylindricsl Wells intersecting the drum und torm- `2O ing therewith expansicn-chanibers on opp@ site sides thereof; there being admission end exhaust ports for each chamber hubs on the drum; stationery axles projecting from each side through the hubs to interior ot' the drum,

there heiner a cle'rance between the inner ends of sei axles; e pivot sup orte@` by eech axle Within the drum, and o set to the exis of one or the outer cylindrical Weils e set of piston-biadespivoted on each pivot and arranged to project through the drum and sweep said outer weli, the shanks or seid pistons completing their revolutions'h5T passing through the clearance between said two axles.

10. in a rotary en ine, a rotary drum; two

fixed pivots 'within t 1e drum, each being ec centricto the druni and concentric with one portion off-the exterior sheil of engine;

f Qssid shell, fernunir expension-chan1bers on v .;dfthere bein@ admission and fixefi pivots within the drum, each being ec *trito sides of the 4 centric to the fruni and concentric with one portlon of the exteriorsheli or the engine; said shell, foi-min expension-cnanibers on 5'0 two sides of the rum, one for eech pivot;

there beiniv edrnissionand exhaust ports for each chsincher; plstons pivotefi on sind pivots and passing through the (iruln into seid chsinvinteri pivots Within t here; hubs for journaling the drum; and 'fixed supports for seid pivots entering the drum through seid hubs. 12. in e rotary en ne, a rotary drum; two le drum, each being ecn centric thereto and concentric with one portion of the exterior shell of the engine; said sheli formino expansion-chambers ontwo sides et the runi, one for each pivot; there being admission end exhaust ports for each chamber; a pair of pistons pivoted on one of seid pivots end arranged to pass through clioinetrically opposite points of the drum into their cheinherya like air of pistons for the other pivot and cham er, piercing the drum et points approximately quartering with thev first pistons; end Valve mechanism for the admission-ports.

18. The combination, in e rotary en ne, or" e rotary drum, a piston pivoted at a point therein, eccentric thereto; an outer sheli concentric with the iston and intersecting the drum forniing t ierewith an expension-chsmber outside the drum; there being a siot through toe drum for the passage ot the piston into the chamber; a shesth set in the slot and inclosmg the piston, seid sheath be ing journeled on the drum.

le. The combination, 1n a rotary engine,

of a roter-y drum; a piston pivoted et s nred point therein, eccentric thereto; an outer shell forming therewith en expansion-charm ber outside the drum; there being n slot through the drum for the passage of the iston into the chamber; and a cap arrenge to ciose the slot when the piston is Within the :nstely heli the circumference oi the drum;

there being slots through the drum set sp 'proxinistelv `half a circumference s srt for cyr passoire of the pistons into the cham er and there seing ports at each end of the chember.

in' testimony whereof if afiix niy signature in presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

FRANCES` S. SULLIVAN.

Witnesses:

El'. '3. Devis, CARL 0. Emerson. 

